Behavioral Science Course

Lesson 1 • Core Theoretical Frameworks

Introduces dominant theories used to explain human behaviour. Equips learners to select appropriate frameworks for specific problems.

Lesson 2 • Levels of Analysis in Behaviour

Distinguishes individual, group, and societal levels of behavioural explanation. Prepares learners to match analysis level to research questions.

Lesson 3 • Defining Behavioural Science

Clarifies what behavioural science is and how it differs from adjacent fields. Sets the conceptual baseline for all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Historical Development of the Field

Traces major intellectual movements from behaviourism to cognitive science. Provides context for understanding why current methods exist.

Lesson 1 • Quantitative Research Designs

Covers experimental, quasi-experimental, and survey designs for measuring behaviour. Enables learners to choose designs that match their research goals.

Lesson 2 • Behavioural Measurement Tools

Examines scales, behavioural coding, and physiological measures. Ensures learners select valid and reliable instruments for their constructs.

Lesson 3 • Scientific Reasoning and Hypothesis Formation

Teaches inductive and deductive reasoning as tools for generating testable hypotheses. Anchors the research design process in logical structure.

Lesson 4 • Data Interpretation and Reporting

Guides learners through analysing results and communicating findings clearly. Connects measurement to actionable conclusions.

Lesson 1 • Attention and Perception

Explores how selective attention and perceptual filters shape what people notice and act on. Grounds later work on bias and judgment.

Lesson 2 • Heuristics and Cognitive Biases

Identifies mental shortcuts and systematic errors that distort judgment. Prepares learners to diagnose bias in applied settings.

Lesson 3 • Judgment Under Uncertainty

Analyses how people evaluate risk, probability, and ambiguity. Connects cognitive science to practical decision support design.

Lesson 4 • Memory Systems and Behaviour

Covers working, long-term, and procedural memory and their roles in guiding action. Links memory architecture to habit and decision research.

Lesson 1 • Goal Pursuit and Persistence

Analyses how people set, pursue, and abandon goals over time. Informs intervention design for sustained behaviour change.

Lesson 2 • Stress, Coping, and Behaviour

Examines how stress appraisal and coping styles alter behavioural outcomes. Prepares learners to account for stress in applied programme design.

Lesson 3 • Self-Regulation and Willpower

Covers models of self-control, ego depletion, and implementation intentions. Equips learners to design environments that support self-regulation.

Lesson 4 • Theories of Human Motivation

Reviews need-based, expectancy, and self-determination theories of motivation. Provides a toolkit for diagnosing motivational deficits.

Lesson 1 • Group Dynamics and Collective Behaviour

Examines groupthink, social loafing, and intergroup relations. Equips learners to diagnose and improve group decision-making processes.

Lesson 2 • Social Identity and Behaviour

Explores how group membership and identity shape attitudes and actions. Informs culturally sensitive intervention design.

Lesson 3 • Persuasion and Attitude Change

Covers elaboration likelihood, source credibility, and message framing. Prepares learners to design persuasive communications grounded in evidence.

Lesson 4 • Social Norms and Conformity

Distinguishes descriptive from injunctive norms and explains conformity pressures. Enables learners to use norm-based messaging strategically.

Lesson 1 • Evaluating Intervention Effectiveness

Teaches logic models, process evaluation, and outcome measurement for interventions. Ensures learners can assess whether programmes achieve intended behaviour change.

Lesson 2 • Reinforcement and Incentive Design

Applies operant conditioning principles to reward and penalty structures. Prepares learners to build incentive systems that sustain target behaviours.

Lesson 3 • Nudge Theory and Choice Architecture

Covers default settings, salience, and friction as tools for guiding behaviour. Enables learners to redesign environments without restricting choice.

Lesson 4 • Habit Formation and Disruption

Analyses cue-routine-reward loops and strategies for breaking unwanted habits. Connects habit science to long-term behaviour change programmes.

Lesson 1 • Diagnosing Behavioural Performance Gaps

Introduces functional analysis and performance gap assessment in organisational settings. Grounds intervention design in accurate problem diagnosis.

Lesson 2 • Behavioural Safety and Risk Reduction

Applies behavioural science to reduce unsafe acts and near-miss incidents. Prepares learners to build proactive safety cultures in organisations.

Lesson 3 • Team Behaviour and Collaboration

Analyses behavioural drivers of effective teamwork and coordination. Equips learners to design team structures that promote cooperation.

Lesson 4 • Feedback Systems and Performance Management

Covers feedback frequency, specificity, and delivery for sustaining performance. Connects behavioural principles to practical management tools.

Lesson 1 • Scaling and Sustaining Interventions

Examines conditions for scaling pilot programmes without losing fidelity. Prepares learners to plan for long-term sustainability of behaviour change efforts.

Lesson 2 • Systems Thinking for Behaviour Change

Introduces feedback loops, leverage points, and unintended consequences in behavioural systems. Enables learners to map complex behavioural ecosystems.

Lesson 3 • Policy and Environmental Design

Analyses how regulatory, physical, and economic environments shape behaviour at scale. Connects behavioural science to public policy and urban design.

Lesson 4 • Segmentation and Targeting Strategies

Covers behavioural segmentation methods for tailoring interventions to subpopulations. Maximises intervention reach and relevance across diverse audiences.